I used to use guitar synthesizer a lot when writing music, and usually the synth dominates those songs. And usually my favorite uses of keys come when they are used in heavy doses. I have one example, however, of a really subtle use of keys that makes makes the song (or at least the moments where it's used) way better than it would've been without the keys. That is in Dio's The Eyes, from the Master of the Moon album. Listen to the first 1:23 of the song, and take special note of the subtle keys that come in at about 1:02. Doesn't it make the song so much better?

What are some other examples of subtle keys elevating the greatness of certain songs?

I like the sparse use of keys on early Rotting Christ and especially Varathron albums. The keys only helps to set up the 'ancient' atmosphere are one of the reasons 'Walpurgisnacht' is such a masterpiece.

absu are kings of the subtle keys, on each album there in all the right spots not overused. Enslaved use to have wonderful Subtle keys on their first few albums but now the keys are more dominate now that that have a full-time keyboard player (okay, yeah they have had one for over ten years now).

absu are kings of the subtle keys, on each album there in all the right spots not overused. Enslaved use to have wonderful Subtle keys on their first few albums but now the keys are more dominate now that that have a full-time keyboard player (okay, yeah they have had one for over ten years now).

Wow, I was thinking about mentioning Absu when I opened this thread. I second this!

At first, I misread the OP thinking they referenced "Evil Eyes", and, while they did not, I think that's another great Dio song with subtle keyboards.

I guess it helps that the synth sounds like an arpeggiating rock organ riff until the end of the song when you can clearly tell it's a synth and not an organ, but that's what makes it subtle, and I think it adds a lot to the song.

Actually, IDK that it positively is a sequenced synthesizer arpeggio, but that little bit you hear of it at the end does kind of make me think "TANGERINE DREAM" for a moment. Could still be an organ though, for all I know.

Celtic Frost's Drown in Ashes comes to mind, as well as a few Sabbath Tunes. I kind of agree, I like it when keys are introduced in an unorthodox manner to add texture to a song, but the really cheesy melodies that try to mask a riff with fake instrument sounds are annoying.

_________________You went on without meaning, an everlasting strife.It wasn't lust or alcohol, you were Poisoned By Life.

Keep Of Kalessin uses some haunting, atmospheric keys on their magnificent debut on tracks like the awesome I Choose To Suffer. The recent Ataraxy album also uses some cool, subtle synths on the closer Unreachable Spheres and Ethereal Slumber (mostly intro though).

I'm not much of a fan of keys in extreme metal but Drapsnatt use them extremely well to enhance the melancholy in their music. Their albums wouldn't be anywhere near as good without them.All three albums are very good.